ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — New restaurants, colorful murals and handcrafted signs are changing the look of Wall Street as downtown Asheville heads into the busy fall tourism season.
The narrow, one-way street known for its restaurants, shops and ginkgo trees has welcomed several new businesses in recent months. Now, downtown organizations are hoping new artwork, signs and live music will give people more reasons to visit.
The Asheville Downtown Association, Asheville Downtown Improvement District and Explore Asheville will celebrate the changes at noon Friday, Oct. 23, at Wall Street Plaza. The event is free and open to the public.
The improvements come as downtown Asheville continues its recovery from Tropical Storm Helene. According to Placer.ai data provided by downtown officials, downtown recorded roughly 1 million visits by nonresidents in September, up 7.4% from a year earlier and 2.3% above September 2023, before the storm.
Those figures reflect downtown as a whole, not Wall Street specifically. Merchants along the street say attracting visitors has become increasingly difficult in recent years, and they hope the improvements will help bring more people their way.
Two new handcrafted signs now mark the entrances to Wall Street, making the street easier for visitors to find.
The Art Deco-style signs feature ginkgo leaves inspired by the trees lining the street. They were designed by Merje Design with input from Wall Street merchants and the city’s Design Review Committee.
Barnardsville blacksmith Doc Cudd forged the signs. Cudd began learning the trade at age 10 and comes from a family with more than 400 years of blacksmithing history. He regularly demonstrates his craft at Biltmore Estate.
“Wall Street is one of downtown Asheville’s most distinctive places, and these artisan-made signs make this destination even easier to find,” said Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “Having them made by a Buncombe County blacksmith reflects the craft our community is known for.”
Visitors will also notice more color along the Wall Street steps.
Artist Dayna Walton completed an expansion of her mural, “Meander,” this month on the Wall Street parking garage wall. The original mural, finished in June, features plants and animals found throughout the Southern Appalachians, from lower elevations to the mountaintops.
The new section focuses on the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Among the creatures featured is the hellbender, a large native salamander that depends on clean, flowing water.
The Asheville Downtown Association and Downtown Improvement District commissioned the artwork. The district approved funding for the second phase following the public response to the original mural.
“I am so happy with how this expansion to the Wall Street steps has created an immersive environment inspired by my favorite mountain plants and places,” Walton said.
New businesses are opening, too.
Flour, which began at The S&W Market in 2024, opened a larger location at 40 Wall St. on July 31. Founded by brothers Kyle and Carter James and chef Gordon Gibbs, the restaurant moved into the former Laughing Seed Café space and expanded its menu.
Slava, a Ukrainian café and bakery owned by Svitlana Eadie, opened at 37 Wall St. in August. Eadie had spent nearly a decade catering in Asheville before opening the storefront.
El Tesoro, a family-friendly Mexican restaurant, opened in May. Asheville Forager, a grocery and deli, opened in 2025.
They join longtime Wall Street businesses, including The Market Place and Early Girl Eatery.
The Downtown Improvement District is also using live music to encourage people to spend time on the street.
Its Lunchbox Live series features local street performers at Wall Street Plaza from noon to 1:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 20. Tables and chairs are available for people who want to grab lunch and listen to music.
Flour, El Tesoro, Asheville Forager and Slava Bakery are participating with grab-and-go lunch specials priced under $15. If it rains, performances may move inside participating businesses.
Dana Frankel, Asheville’s downtown planning manager, said the improvements reflect cooperation among local businesses, downtown organizations and tourism officials as the city continues recovering from Helene.
Friday’s celebration begins at noon at Wall Street Plaza, between Battery Park Avenue and Otis Street. Representatives of the downtown organizations, Explore Asheville and local businesses are scheduled to speak, along with mural artist Walton.
The event is free and open to the public.